Employee profile – Doug and Alan Willis

Pictured: Alan (left) and Doug Willis – brothers in arms.

It’s no surprise that Kestrel Mine prides itself on having a family atmosphere, with about 10 sets of siblings and three married couples working alongside each other.

Mine Matters caught up with brothers Doug and Alan Willis, who are making the most of their time on site together.

Control room operator and older brother, Doug, has worked in the mining industry since 1990, and at Kestrel Mine for about 10 years.

“Kestrel Mine is a great place to work. It’s part of the mine’s culture that each of us rely on, and support, one another,” Doug said.

“Living in a country township means you’re part of a close-knit community, and Emerald is now home for me.”

Growing up in Glamorgan Vale, a small town about 60 kilometres west of Brisbane, the brothers have always been close. After a number of years living apart, Doug convinced Alan to move to Emerald.

“Jobs in the financial sector and real estate kept me in Brisbane for a while, and I spent six months travelling overseas,” Alan said.

“Our mother’s passing in 2007 reminded me how important family is, and following some encouragement from Doug I decided to join him and my father in Emerald.

“I got a job at Kestrel Mine in June last year, working underground as part of the bullgang team, which provides the development team with services such as water, air, piping and cabling.

“I am now not only close to my own family, but part of an excellent ‘extended family’ at Kestrel Mine, where mateship and camaraderie are the norm.”

After starting off in A crew, Alan was able to move to C crew so he could work the same shifts as his brother.

“The management at Kestrel Mine was great in allowing us to work the same shifts, which means family get togethers are easier to organise,” Alan said.

“Doug and I are also able to take leave at the same time, and recently went to Sydney together to attend a wedding.”

Doug and Alan both agree that having your brother on site is a good reminder of why safety is so important.

“Knowing that Al is working underground reinforces the safety message,” Doug said.

“It’s crucial that we follow the safety procedures in place and look out for each other to ensure no one is hurt, especially when failure to do so could impact someone in your family.”

ON THE SPOT

In 20 words or less, what does your job entail?

Doug: I work in the control room, where we look after the underground communications. We monitor the mine’s gases, ventilation system and conveyor belts, as well as the location of employees underground.

Alan: I’m an underground operator/maintainer and work as part of the bullgang team. We provide services such as water, air, piping and cabling to the development team, which cuts the underground roadways.

What do you do for fun?

Doug: Al and I often play golf and I enjoy cooking and family barbecues. I am also lucky to have a friend who flies light aircraft and occasionally fly with him.

Alan: I enjoy catching up with friends in Brisbane and manage to get back there every couple of weeks. I also enjoy road cycling, and use the computer to develop animations as a hobby.

What character are you most like and why?

Doug and Alan were reluctant to provide Mine Matters with an answer to this question, for fear of being landed with nicknames.

Tell us one interesting thing about you your colleagues don't know.

Doug: In the mid 70s when I lived in Glamorgan Vale, I used to ride a horse over the mountain to school.

Alan: Despite working underground, I’m actually claustrophobic.

Read our other employee profile for June - Simon Coleman from Mount Thorley Warkworth